Study Guide for Exam #1
METR 2603
Severe and Unusual Weather
Spring, 2001

Q:  What should I study?
A:  You should review all of the materials presented in class (web-based lectures, in-class comments), read the assignments from the text, and study the problem set.

Q:  How will the exam be constructed?
A:  It will consist of a mixture of short-answer questions, fill-in-the-blank, true/false, and multiple choice.

Q:  Will I have to solve equations and quantitative problems?
A:  If I ask such questions, I'll provide all of the formulas, equations, and physical constants (e.g., Gas Constant)

Q:  Do I need to memorize definitions?
A:  You should have a solid understanding of concepts like relative humidity, atmospheric stability, the life cycle of airmass thunderstorms, latent heating, phase change, etc.  I am more concerned with your qualitative understanding than I am with your ability to solve quantitative problems.  The problems given in the homework set were designed to solidify your conceptual understanding, not to turn you into scientists.   So focus on being able to explain the physical concepts behind topics discussed in class, e.g., why rising air cools, why cloud base is lower when the moisture content is higher, the meaning and importance of vapor pressure.

Q:  Will the exam last the entire class period:
A:  You should be able to complete the exam in 50 minutes.

Q:  Will I need to bring a calculator?
A:  You should have one available, but you may not need to use it.  Please note that your activities will be monitored, so don't even think about typing definitions and other information into an alphanumerical calculator.  Doing so constitues cheating and is grounds for removal from the class and possibly the University.  Stay completely away from such behavior!

Topics to Review

Definition of a thunderstorm
Climatology and frequency across the US
Types of thunderstorms and their severity
The three stages of an airmass storm and the weather produced
General structure and features of gust fronts and microbursts
Physical aspects of the ideal gas law and ability to work problems if I
    provide you with the equation
Pressure gradient force
Atmospheric Stability
Physical basis for the hydrostatic equation
The vertical structure of the atmosphere and the reasons for it
The differences between heat and temperature
The three types of energy transfer (conduction, convection, radiation)
Measures of atmospheric moisture content (see lecture 7) and the
   physical uses for them
Heat capacity and latent heating
Atmospheric stability and lapse rates (be able to determine if a rising
    parcel is stable, neutral, or unstable)
Understand stability in the context of cloud and thunderstorm development
Know the differences between Doppler and conventional radar
Know Chuck Doswell's age (just kidding)